Węgielnym szlakiem pod opieką Skarbka – analiza strukturalna górniczych górnośląskich legend

Abstract

As a cultural resource, legends may contain information about specific social groups and the manner in which they function. An analysis of content and structure can reveal elements of social imagery, showcasing aspects of one’s origin, identity, normative structure, and relationships with others. Therefore, legends can be considered an interesting source of knowledge for teachers
involved in regional and intercultural education, as they depict the deeply rooted elements of society. This article presents a structural analysis of Upper Silesian mining legends. Its aim is to extract common components in the contents of four different legends that feature the character of ‘Skarbek,’ a local folkloric figure. It is assumed that the characters in the legends were modelled on a certain set of characteristics, potentially representing an approved archetype of an ideal Upper Silesian inhabitant. The analysis is conducted through the structural analysis method proposed by Claude Lévi-Strauss. Based on the results, an attempt is made to describe the approved character traits of the Upper Silesian archetype while also identifying the undesirable traits. Legends serve as incredibly valuable sources of knowledge regarding regionalism. In line with intercultural education, which involves understanding one’s own to comprehend a foreign, legends can provide valuable guidance to develop competency and character matrices concerning regional culture.